Sunday, January 15, 2012

State of the nation January 15, 2012

The Republic of Durrrguffy | “Do less and get it done” | Category: Liberal Democratic Socialists

Civil Rights: Excellent

Economy: Imploded

Political Freedoms: Superb

Regional Influence: Superpower | Location: Galactic Republic

The Republic of Durrrguffy is a massive, environmentally stunning nation, renowned for its complete lack of prisons. Its compassionate, intelligent population of 2.871 billion love a good election, and the government gives them plenty of them. Universities tend to be full of students debating the merits of various civil and political rights, while businesses are tightly regulated and the wealthy viewed with suspicion.

It is difficult to tell where the omnipresent, socially-minded government stops and the rest of society begins, but it concentrates mainly on Education, although Social Welfare and Social Equality are secondary priorities. The average income tax rate is 67%, and even higher for the wealthy. A large private sector is dominated by the Book Publishing industry.

The government extracts trade concessions from poor nations in exchange for humanitarian aid, organ donation is compulsory, parents live in fear of governmental 'child protection' squads, and religious organizations are being forced to leave the country or pay income taxes like everybody else. Crime is totally unknown. Durrrguffy's national animal is the cow, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its currency is the rupee.

Durrrguffy is ranked 3rd in Galactic Republic and 71,391st in the world for Most Politically Apathetic Citizens, with -3 Whatever.

The Bears of Burrrduffy | “Nemesis is the recoil of nature.” | Category: Anarchy

Civil Rights: Excellent

Economy: Thriving

Political Freedoms: Excellent

Regional Influence: Power | Location: Galactic Republic

The Bears of Burrrduffy is a massive, socially progressive nation, renowned for its museums and concert halls. Its hard-nosed, hard-working, intelligent population of 2.694 billion live in a state of perpetual fear, as a complete breakdown of social order has led to the rise of order through biker gangs.

There is no government in the normal sense of the word; however, a small group of community-minded individuals juggles the competing demands of Education, Healthcare, and Commerce. Income tax is unheard of. A small but healthy private sector is dominated by the Uranium Mining industry.

Referenda are held for every conceivable government action, citizens are allowed to rise or fall based on their own merits, the police have been reduced to using duct tape instead of handcuffs following further cutbacks, and penurious citizens die from easily remedied ailments because they aren't 'taking enough initiative'. Crime -- especially youth-related -- is crippling, probably because of the country's utter lack of prisons. Burrrduffy's national animal is the dog, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its currency is the martini.

Burrrduffy is ranked 4th in Galactic Republic and 71,392nd in the world for Most Politically Apathetic Citizens, with -3 Whatever.